Mikayla Holmgren is believed to be the first person with Down syndrome to compete in a Miss U.S.A state pageant.
Holmgren is a student at Bethel University in Saint Paul, where she's a triple-threat athlete.
She also serves as a mentor for other young women and has a passion for dancing.
While she didn't move on to the final round, Holmgren's talent and charisma didn't go unnoticed.
She won two awards Sunday night - Spirit of Miss U.S.A and the Director's Award.
"I'm really proud of my parents and I'm really proud of myself," Holmgren said.
The audience gave Holmgren a standing ovation, and Kalie Wright was chosen as the next Miss Minnesota U.S.A.
Beauty and brains: Federal scientist crowned Miss USA 2017
Beauty and brains: Federal scientist crowned Miss USA 2017
Report a typo to the ABC13 staff